What does ‘orientation direction’ mean?

Most modern magnet materials have a “grain” in that they can be magnetized for maximum effect only through one direction. This is the “orientation direction”, also known as the “easy axis”, or “axis”.

Unoriented magnets (also known as “isotropic magnets”) are much weaker than oriented magnets, and can be magnetized in any direction. Oriented magnets (also known as “anisotropic magnets”) are not the same in every direction – they have a preferred direction in which they should be magnetized.